According to several news reports, the California Senate rejected an initial attempt to ban plastic microbeads in soaps and cosmetics. AB1699 reportedly fell one vote short of the 21 required to pass.

The author, Democratic Assemblyman Richard Bloom of Santa Monica, noted that supporters will try again before the Legislature adjourns for the year. The bill would prohibit the sale of products containing plastic microbeads starting in 2019. A Senate amendment would reportedly allow over-the-counter drugs to contain the microbeads until 2020.

As reported previously, Illinois became the first state in the United States to ban the sale and manufacture of personal care products containing microbeads on June 9, 2014. The state of New York has also considered similar legislation. While these regulatory actions pose new hurdles to personal care product developers, they also have identified a new market need.